Living the Extraordinary Life: 9 Principles to Discover It

(FROM THE PREFACE)

The Bible offers us numerous principles for walking successfully with God, for living the extraordinary life. In this book, I will address nine time-tested truths that God reveals to us through Scripture and discuss how we as believers can live extraordinary lives.

What is the extraordinary life? It is the life sustained by an inner peace and joy in the good times as well as the bad. I can honestly say, after all these years, that I am finally at a place where I know how to face anxiety, fear, and the pressures that accompany life this side of heaven. My ultimate goal now is to live in undisturbed union with Jesus Christ, and by
His strength, I am closer than ever.

Becoming the masterpiece God created you to be is a lifelong process in which He is continually shaping you into a unique reflection of His Son. It is my prayer that you will embrace each one of these principles fully and, in doing so, discover the extraordinary life God has planned for you.

(FROM CHAPTER 1)

PRINCIPLE 1: COMPLETE SURRENDER TO GOD
BRINGS COMPLETE LIFE

I recently heard a story that makes a profound point about surrender. Some time ago a radio station reported news of a stolen VW Bug in California. The police staged an intense search for the vehicle and the man who stole it, even to the point of making announcements on local
radio stations to contact him. On the front seat of the stolen car sat a box of crackers that, unbeknownst to the thief, was laced with poison. The car’s owner had intended to use the crackers as rat bait. You see, the police and the owner of the car were more interested in apprehending the thief in order to save his life than to recover the vehicle. But the thief,
not realizing their intentions, fled from the very people who sought to help him.

I don’t know if this story is true or not—sometimes truth is indeed stranger than fiction. But the story illustrates an important truth. So often we run from God in order to escape His punishment. But what we are actually doing is eluding His rescue.

God is omniscient. He knows all about us. He knows what we have done in the past and will do in the future. The wondrous thing about God’s love is that it never stops. He loves us the same today as He did yesterday, and His love for us will not change tomorrow. When we feel
as though we have failed in life, God comes to us and raises up a banner of hope on our behalf: “Hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (ROM. 5:5).

At any given moment, God knows exactly where you are in your journey and precisely what it will take to get your attention. So be alert; notice if any of God’s methods are occurring—or recurring—in your life. Ask Him what He wants to tell you, and then listen, not simply to hear, but to obey. Jesus said, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man
hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me” (REV. 3:20 KJV). Because of His great love for you and His desire to give you a hope and a future, God is always reaching toward you.